The very active Central Peninsula Hospital (CPH) Auxiliary held their annual barbeque recently in the Denali Room at CPH to thank all their volunteer members and award some big checks to CPH employees who are continuing their education. “This is an event that the auxiliary puts together every year where we can assist employees going on with their education. This year we were able to give out three scholarships. The funds are raised primarily from sales at the gift shop and various bizarre’s and donations that come in throughout the community,” said Jim Childers, CPH volunteer coordinator. According the Childers applications are taken for the continuing education scholarships in addition to the high school scholarships that the auxiliary awards, “We have our two $4,000 high school scholarships that are given out each year to graduating seniors, then this year we divided $10,000 to three employees so to continue their education as well,” he said. One high school scholarship recipient recently wrote to the auxiliary: “When I was 14 I started volunteering at CPH. I received the auxiliary scholarship that helped me fund my undergraduate education. That allowed me to save money for graduate school. Last week I completed my graduate school education at the Mayo Clinic. My next step is a yearlong residency in Neurologic Physical Therapy at the University of Utah. I just wanted to say thank you and let you know that someday I plan to return to share what I have learned in Alaska,” wrote Molly K. Watkins

Lindsey Kerr was a recipient of a big check at the barbeque in the amount of $1,917.00 and told the Dispatch, “That will go toward tuition, I’m attending on line classes through Creighton University School of Medicine. Its rigorous curriculum and you don’t have a teacher their live to keep you on track, but with good time management and a workplace that is very supportive of my endeavor it’s great and I have super support from my co-workers,” said Kerr who is continuing her training as a physical therapist. Another auxiliary scholarship recipient is Heather Drake who is a phlebotomist at CPH, “I’m attending KPC to complete my nursing degree and have about a year and a half left for my pre-rec’s and two years of nursing school. On the job training is really an advantage as I pursue my goals in health care,” said Drake. Sandra Simmons was the other auxiliary scholarship recipient and is also attending KPC, “I’m in the medical assistant program at KPC after having worked in the cafeteria here for six years and I always knew that I do want to do something more patient oriented in the health care field. I love making cheese burgers but I want be more hands on care for the patients,” she said. “The auxiliary is a great organization and it’s very rewarding to be part of it and the efforts to support people in this community. I’m very proud to be a part of it,” added Childers.